Case Study: A Mess of an Oil Change!

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

The other day, a customer brought in a 1997 Lexus ES 300 (that he had just purchased) for an oil change and general checkup. The car was in very good condition - that was, until the mechanic took off the oil valve cover and it full of sludge. Having sludge rather than oil lubricating the engine's working parts can very quickly deteriorate moving parts. Instead of being lubricated by clean oil, sludge contaminates parts, makes them sticky and prone to costly damage.

Mike really gets into auto repair...*groan*

The previous owner followed the manufacturer’s guidelines to change the oil every five or six thousand miles - so then what was the problem? This may look good on paper, but in reality, this frequently is often just not enough. The detergents in the oil break down after a certain amount of time, which is what creates sludge. Unless a special high-grade synthetic oil were being used, regular oil changes and maintenance really should be preformed every three thousand miles for this type of vehicle. This Lexus has 167,000 miles on it, and if properly maintained intervals are kept, it should be good for another 500,000 miles and more.

We like to view our customers' cars as investments; in the long run, they prove a far more valuable investment when they're properly maintained. Each car model is different, so if you'd like to know what your vehicle's specific maintenance intervals should be, it's best to check with your favorite mechanic.

Speaking of favorite mechanics, we've been nominated for the category of "Best Oil Change" by the Grand Haven Tribune's People's Choice Awards 2011, and we would appreciate your votes! Thank you!

BG Products: Better Auto Fluids for Better Vehicle Performance

by Dennis Sweet, Cars for Keeps Customer Service Manager

At Cars for Keeps, we believe in the the old adage “you get what you pay for”. We feel that not all car parts and fluids are created equal. So with that in mind, let's talk auto fluids...

When we talk about your vehicle's fluid systems, we're talking about transmission, power steering, brake, coolant and engine oil fluids. Each of these fluids services a very important automotive function, and as the fluids break down over time, they can cause damage to these systems if they are not flushed and maintained.

We've researched many automotive fluid products and believe we have found one of the best that is available. I am talking about BG Products. BG Products is a chemical company that makes top of the line automotive fluids and automotive maintenance service products. These include completely synthetic engine oils, power steering fluid, brake fluid, transmission fluids and grease and gear lube.

Most automotive fluid companies make their products with crude oil base. BG Products, on the other hand, are manufactured in a lab as fully synthetic chemicals. For humans, synthetic products are bad news, but for a vehicle, synthetic fluids are the best they come. These fluid are capable of handling the higher temps better and for longer, without breaking down. This means longer periods between fluid changes and more longevity for the life of you vehicle.

BG Fully synthetic motor oil even comes with a friction modifier added to it for even better protection of your vehicle's engine. They also offer cleaning products to flush and improve the performance of drive lines, fuel systems, batteries and climate control systems.

BG is so confident of their products that they put a 150,000 mile warranty on your vehicle's engine if you use BG Products according to the recommended schedule on vehicles before they reach 30,000 miles.

With this kind of value, it was a no brainer for us at Cars for Keeps to offer BG Product to our customers, and for BG Products to be our top selling automotive fluid brand.

If you're curious to learn more about BG, visit them online, or watch their video below:

Why Your Car’s AC System Needs Repair, Even During Winter

by Rob Hopp, Cars for Keeps Owner

Most drivers don’t give a second thought about air conditioning (AC or HVAC) when the weather is cooler than about 75°f. While once considered a luxury, often an expensive add-on to a new car purchase, air conditioning is now a common factory installed item running in concert with several other systems.

Two of the most frequent questions we receive are:

1. Should I run my AC in the winter?

Many vehicles now incorporate running the air conditioning system when the windshield defroster is selected. Automatic climate control systems in the higher end vehicles use it routinely unless you select the “Economy” mode. There are a few reasons it's a good idea to run your auto's AC in the winter.

First, running the air conditioning year round will help maintain the system. It will help to keep the system well lubricated and leak proof. This is because the refrigerant actually carries the oil and sealers that lubricate the system and most importantly the compressor. It also keeps the seals and hoses moist, thus preventing them from drying out and cracking, which can lead to leaks.

Air conditioning removes moisture. If you’ve driven in heavy rain or high humidity, you needed the humidity removed from the forced air blasting your windows. This is less noticeable in colder weather, however the moisture is still a factor in clearing that fog from your view. If you have a car with a separate A/C switch, try turning it on next time (even if the temp is set on hot). It will clear your windows quicker.
2. If my AC needs repair, why shouldn't I wait until warmer weather?

Because the systems are so integrated, waiting to repair the AC system can increase the costs dramatically. Items from simple hoses, connections, desiccant chambers (driers) to the complex compressor, evaporator and condenser depend on operating in a lubricated, moisture free environment. Electrical switch or sensor failure will leave the system inoperative, but the failure of a seal or hose can cause much more serious damage. Faulty hoses will leak refrigerant, allowing water to enter the internal AC system and cause corrosion and rust.

Cars for Keeps includes testing AC function in its routine inspection process to help you avoid surprises when the weather warms up.

One more way we fix cars. For keeps!

Want to protect your safety and others, too?

Want to Protect your Safety? You may need new shocks. 
Experts Recommend Changing Your Shocks/Struts every 50,000 miles.* (*Actual mileage may vary depending upon driver ability, vehicle type, and the type of driving and road conditions.)


Brakes Help you Stop. Shocks and Struts Help you Stop SOONER! 
A fresh set of shocks and struts can enhance more than just your ride. 
Shocks help improve braking and handling under certain driving conditions.
Shocks make vehicles safer and easier to control. 

This helps make the road safer for everyone, including you!!


Signs you may need new shocks:

• Poor Steering Response, Stiffness or Noise when Steering
• Fluid Leaks from Shock or Strut Body
• Dented or Damaged Shock or Strut Bodies
• Broken, Damaged, Corroded or Worn Mounts or Bushings.
• Cupped, Uneven Tire Wear
• Vehicle Sways or Leans on Turns or When Lane Changing
• Excessive "Nose Dive" or Instability when Braking
• Excessive Vehicle Bounce after Hitting a Road Bump
• Harsh, Bumpy, or Shaky Vehicle Ride

We also offer FREE estimates by email on our website.

Click here to request your free auto repair estimate anytime!

Thank you for the opportunity to earn your business!

Have a blessed day! :)

A Woman's Point of View: What Auto Maintenance Tasks Are Most Important?

by Colette Cooley, Cars for Keeps Office Manager

The most important maintenance for your car can be summed up in one word: Regular!

For those of you who are very structured in your lives, this is not a problem. For the rest of us who have to put a sticky note on our steering wheels to remind us of our next oil change, this can be a little problem! Here's a few tips for keeping your car's maintenance on track.

Most of us have a calendar that we refer to, either hanging on the wall, on our desk, or on our computers or cell phones. Pick a certain date that is usually convenient for you every three months and jot down ‘LOF’ (which stands for Lube, Oil, Filter) to remind you to check the mileage on your car. Check that with the sticker on your windshield and if they are close, gives us a call and we will take care of everything for you.

At Cars For Keeps, regular maintenance always includes the oil change, a new oil filter, topping off the fluids in your car, a visual inspection under, around and in the engine compartment, a recommendation list that is prioritized of potential problems, and checking your tires for air pressure and wear or damage. The oil in each of your vehicles should be changed every 2,000 miles for regular oil, and every 6,000 miles for cars that use synthetic oil, according to our head mechanic. We recommend that you call ahead to make an appointment so we can hold a specific amount of time to give you and your car the time and attention that you deserve. One or two days ahead of time is usually sufficient.

66 testimonials & counting!! THANK YOU!

We are the ONLY auto repair shop in Denver with 66 testimonials & counting!! :) Read our auto repair customer testimonials Thank you for choosing us for auto repair shop in Denver! We appreciate your business! Happy Wednesday!

Our most recent additions to our customer testimonials  - 

February 2011

"No exaggeration, Mastermind's the best shop I've worked with. Ever. I really admire the honesty and efficient estimate as well as the work that was done. No typical auto-shop push and shoving and Norm and Heidi even went out of their way to help me.

Fantastic job on the repairs! My car is running super great, whereas a month ago, I was praying to not get into an accident because of my damages."

- Michael 

Denver, CO

_____________________________________________________________

"If you live in the Denver Metro area and you need work on your vehicle I strongly recommend taking it to these guys. THEY ARE WONDERFUL! And their prices are very good!"

- Antonio Jones

Denver, CO 

HOW’S YOUR PRESSURE?

I’m a car guy! I enjoy the drive, the mechanics and everything to do with cars. But like most other owners and drivers, I sometimes fall short when it comes to the more tedious aspects of cars, namely maintenance. I am diligent when it comes to the important things like oil changes, tire rotations and the latest recalls. On the other hand, when it comes to checking tire pressure, I tend to drop the ball.

I have no excuse for this failure. It’s not that it’s a hard thing to do; just take the cap off of the stem, apply the gauge and read the pressure. You don’t even have to dig out the owner’s manual. Manufacturers make it easy and convenient to get the pressure right by posting the figures on the door saddle. The driver just needs to take the time and do it.

The experts say to check your tire pressure monthly. I imagine few people are that conscientious. Quarterly seems much more realistic, but I have been guilty of only checking mine with the change of the seasons. After several days of sub-zero temperatures, it occurred to me that maybe I should check my cars’ tire pressure. After all, it’s been awhile. All eight tires (two cars) were under inflated by 7 lbs. each, that’s 20% lower than spec. Yikes, that’s not good for a car guy, or for the tires.

I am well aware of the negatives. Everyone knows that the friction caused by under inflated tires increases tire wear, decreasing a tire’s life by as much as 25%. I know that their increased drag can cut down my fuel economy by 5%, and that low tires affect the car’s driving performance, impacting steering, stability and responsiveness. I also know better than to rely on the vehicle’s low pressure sensors. By the time they notify me of a problem, hundreds of miles may have already been driven on low and unsafe tires. And what are the chances that my friendly neighborhood shop checked my tires’ pressure when they rotated them? Most likely they didn’t, and if they did, do I trust them to do it properly? I need to check my tire pressure more often.

The fact is that in cold weather, tires lose pressure. The air in a tire is a gas, when heated it expands, when cooled it contracts. For every 10 degree change in temperature, up or down, tire pressure rises or falls 1 psi. In my case it makes perfect sense. My tires were underinflated by 7 psi, a result of Maine’s 70 degree drop from summer to winter temperatures.

This car guy has been reminded to check his tire pressure often, and maybe once a month is not such a bad idea. At below zero temperatures and blizzard conditions, the last thing I want is a tire “issue”, due to underinflated tires. So, how’s your pressure?

MaineAutoMall.com Auto Blog

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